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Whyteleafe F.C. was formed in 1946, replacing another club, Whyteleafe Albion. Whyteleafe were Surrey Senior League champions on at least one occasion in the 1960s before switching to the London Spartan League in 1975. In 1981 they moved to the Athenian League and then in 1984 to the Isthmian League. In 1989 they were promoted to Division One, a level at which they played for 23 years (albeit with league reorganisations placing the team in Division One South from 2002 to 2004 and again in 2006). The 2011/12 season ended in bitter disappointment and the club’s first relegation in its history. Herne Bay, as Kent League Champions, took Leafe’s place in the Isthmian South and the Surrey side dropped into the Kent League, ending their first season in 6th position.

The 2013/14 season saw a change in name for the league to the Southern Counties East Football League and an upturn in Whyteleafe’s fortunes as they won 26 out of their 32 league matches. The title was won by 11 points from second placed Ashford United and Leafe sealed their return to the Isthmian League. A 3g pitch was installed in the summer of 2014.

The meetings between our two clubs stands all-square with three wins apiece but Whyteleafe have finished above Herne Bay in the league in two out of the three seasons. The spoils were shared last campaign with Mark Lovell and Sam Hasler giving the home side a 2-1 victory at Winch’s Field in August, whilst Leafe gained revenge winning the last game of the season 3-0 at Church Road.

‘Leafe currently sit in 4th place in the league with 22 points from 11 outings. Last Tuesday they drew 3-3 at VCD Athletic and on Saturday they were away at Isthmian North play-off contenders Haringey Borough in the FA Trophy and lost 0-3. They exited the FA Cup at SCEFL Erith Town 4-1 on penalties after a 3-3 which followed a 1-1 stalemate at home. Whyteleafe sit in 16th place in the Isthmian South attendance table with an average of 134 (highest 165, lowest 107). They are unbeaten in the last six league matches with 3 wins and 3 draws.